Admissions Merit Awards: Nonresidents

The University of South Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions offers a generous array of scholarships for nonresident freshmen. Only one Admissions Merit Award per individual is allowed for nonresidents, with the exception of the Lieber Scholars Award, which can be added to any other award listed in this section.

The McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards are two of the most prestigious awards at the university. Forty out-of-state students with strong academic records who are leaders in their high schools and communities will be invited to participate in an interview weekend. Of these 40 candidates, half will be named McNair Scholars, and the other half will be named Horseshoe Scholars. Candidates must participate in the entire weekend (Feb. 28-March 2, 2015) in order to remain in consideration for these awards. Last year, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars had an average SAT score of 1532 (ACT score of 34) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.79. Recipients of these awards qualify for the in-state tuition rate.

Please note: To apply for these scholarships, both an application for general university admission and a Top Scholars application must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline for McNair and Horseshoe Scholars is Nov. 15.

The university annually awards scholarships to National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists and National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars. The competition for these awards begins when you take the PSAT/NMSQT in your junior year of high school. To be eligible, National Merit Finalists must list the University of South Carolina as their first choice through the National Merit Corporation. National Achievement Finalists must send a copy of the National Achievement Finalist certificate to the admissions office. The National Hispanic Recognition Program will send us the names of the scholars selected for that program. The Lieber Scholars Award is the only general university award that can be combined with another admissions-issued scholarship. Recipients of this award qualify for the in-state tuition rate if this is their sole award. If they receive two university-issued awards, they will receive only one instance of tuition reduction.

Sponsored by the Carolina Alumni Association, these awards signify outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, talent and service. In 2014, recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1517 (ACT score of 33) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.79.

To apply for this award, you must submit both a USC application and a Top Scholars application supplement to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline for the Top Scholars application is Nov. 15. Recipients of this award qualify for the in-state tuition rate.

In 2014, recipients of the Cooper Scholars Award had an average SAT score of 1482 (ACT score of 33) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.67. Recipients of this award qualify for the in-state tuition rate.

In 2014, recipients of the McKissick Scholars Award had an average SAT score of 1368 (ACT score of 31) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.56. Recipients of this award qualify for the in-state tuition rate.

In 2014, recipients of the Flinn Scholars Award had an average SAT score of 1338 (ACT score of 30) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.24. Recipients of this award qualify for the in-state tuition rate.

In 2014, recipients of the Woodrow Scholars Award had an average SAT score of 1277 (ACT score of 29) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.20. Recipients of this award also receive a significant tuition reduction of nearly half of the out-of-state rate.

In 2014, recipients of the Sims Scholars Award had an average SAT score of 1245 (ACT score of 28) and an average weighted high school GPA of 3.70. Recipients of this award also receive a significant tuition reduction

*May not be combined with any other General University scholarship offered by the USC Office of Admissions, except for the Lieber Scholars award.